Aggravating Wedding Issue

There is one issue that I've noticed while wedding planning that has become one of my greatest aggravations: parking.

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When we would go to visit venues, they paid for our parking. When Mom H and I went to wedding events, we usually received a sticker to cover our parking. So why, I ask, do venues charge you for parking? I wouldn't ever ask my guests to pay for their own parking at the event to which I invited them, and, while my venue gives us a discounted rate on parking, I wonder why should we have to pay at all?

Not only do most venues charge for parking, but they charge outrageously. Originally we were asked to pay $10 for each car, when we negotiated down to $5. In the end, if we estimate 180 to come, and we'll guesstimate 90-100 cars, that's a whopping $450 - $500 just for cars. (Excuse me if my guesstimates are not correct, I am no mathematician.)

Now I do realize that it's valet parking and there is probably some public parking in the near vicinity of the area, but I want my guests to be able to pull up, hop out of their car and come right on up to the reception. If the hotels can pay for their own events to have their guests have free parking, why can't they waive this fee for their client who is about to drop a decent chunk of change for one night?

How did you all handle the parking for your weddings?